BIRMINGHAM, AL (WIAT) – What a difference a year makes. The defending national champion in college softball, Alabama (41-12, 13-11) will play as the 8th seed in this week’s SEC Softball Tournament in Lexington, Kentucky.

The SEC announced its 2013 Tournament field on Sunday with 2nd ranked Florida claiming the league’s top seed. Auburn failed to make the tournament field finishing 7-17 in the league. The Crimson Tide will begin defense of last season’s tournament title on Wednesday at 3 pm CST against Texas A&M.

Tickets for the single-elimination tournament can be purchased through the Kentucky Athletic Ticket Office by visiting www.ukathletics.com.